Derrick Rose is set to be a free agent this summer. After a tumultuous first season in New York, it’s unclear (and perhaps unlikely) whether he will return to the Knicks next season.
Rose is already setting his sights to free agency, it seems. He has previously mentioned that he will be seeking big money to play basketball next season and now he’s reportedly listing off his options.
One of those teams could be the Milwaukee Bucks who, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, are on Rose’s radar:
“Of course this is like home,’’ Rose told The Post before the Knicks’ 104-93 loss to the Bucks Wednesday. “Only an hour-thirty away. Easy for [family] to come, but they usually don’t come.”
“You hear things but I never take it too seriously,’’ Rose told The Post. “I understand what they have going on here. But I can’t think of it because I’m here. I’ve never been a free agent. This isn’t the worst area for me but I just want to win.’’
In a vacuum, Milwaukee makes a lot of sense for Rose. Not only is it close to his hometown of Chicago, but from a basketball standpoint, it’s one of a few teams in the NBA in need of a starting point guard. Malcolm Brogdon has been good as a rookie but it’s unclear if he can start for a playoff team. Matthew Dellavadova has been disappointing.
In Milwaukee, Rose could be a secondary playmaker, easing the burden on him with Giannis Antetokounmpo carrying the load.
The question here, however, is whether or not the Bucks have a similar interest in Rose. Yes, they need a point guard, but is Rose really the answer?
The former MVP has declined and even in somewhat of a bounce-back year in New York, he is nowhere near the level of a player he was earlier in his career. Add to that his off-court drama and more serious allegations and it becomes an even cloudier picture.
Derrick Rose will have a job next season (maybe even as a starter) because of his reputation and teams clinging to the potential that he has a more significant amount of his ability left in the tank. But it’s a major risk to place so much responsibility on his shoulders at this point in his career.
